The Princely Family joined hundreds of residents and visitors at Port Hercule on Monday 26th January for the traditional boat burning ceremony honouring Saint Dévote, Monaco’s patron saint.
Prince Albert II, Princess Charlène, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella participated in the annual ritual, which began with a mass celebrated in Monégasque at 10:30am at the Église Saint Dévote.
The evening celebrations commenced at approximately 6:30pm with a procession of the saint’s relics from the Chicane du Grand-Prix. Thousands followed the relics through the port toward the Église Saint Dévote before the ceremonial boat burning at Port Hercule.
Following the procession, the Princely Family attended solemn vespers at the church. After the service, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène, alongside Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, greeted members of the public who had gathered outside.
The Family then returned to Port Hercule for the boat burning ceremony, assisting in lighting the symbolic barque as spectators watched the flames consume the vessel. The ritual commemorates the legend of Saint Dévote, a young Corsican martyr killed around AD 304, whose body is said to have arrived in Monaco by boat on 27th January.
Delegations from Monaco’s twin cities, Lucciana and Dolceacqua, attended the ceremony alongside government members and representatives from the Mairie de Monaco. Corsican singers performed traditional melodies while the Musique Municipale provided musical accompaniment as the crowd watched the boat burn.
The evening concluded with a drone display over the port depicting the importance of Saint Dévote.
Tuesday’s programme
A Pontifical Mass was held at Monaco Cathedral Tuesday morning, presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. A procession of the relics through Monaco-Ville will follow, including blessings of the Palace, the city and the sea.
A spiritual concert is scheduled for 6:30pm at the cathedral, featuring the Choir of Sartène, the Choir of the Papal Chapel of Assisi and the Académie Rainier III.
View this post on Instagram
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Main photo credit: Direction de la Communication / Stéphane Danna